Water bottle delivery, storage and retrieval system

ABSTRACT

A water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system is provided which comprises an enclosed structure having an upper shelf and a lower shelf having opposing inclines. The structure may also have access doors positioned to allow storage and retrieval of the full and empty water bottles. Bottles filled with water may be loaded onto the bottom shelf. The shelf is inclined so the bottles can roll along the plastic ribs of the bottles guided by rails which are attached to the upper surface of the bottom shelf. The rails are attached to the shelf so that they are positioned between the ribs of the bottles. The empty bottles may also be stored in the dispenser on the upper shelf. The upper shelf may be inclined in a direction opposite to the incline of the lower shelf. The upper shelf may also have rails to guide the empty bottles as they roll along the shelf. Other embodiments of the invention may be freestanding systems with or without enclosures.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to water bottle delivery, storageand retrieval systems, and more particularly to water bottle delivery,storage and retrieval systems that provide for convenient full and emptywater bottle delivery and storage and provide for ease of bottlechanging at a water dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase inbottled water consumption. Bottled water is typically delivered to homesand businesses in multi-gallon containers that are large, heavy andcumbersome. Empty and full containers are usually stored in a variety ofdifferent places such as closets, offices, hallways, under desks or inany space that might accommodate the water bottle container. Often,water bottle storage is an afterthought that occurs out of necessity.

[0003] Water bottles are used in conjunction with water dispensers whichprovide for individuals to obtain a select amount of water from thebottle. Such dispensers may be located in homes, businesses orelsewhere. The dispensers are typically 2.5 to 4 feet in height andrequire that the water bottle be lifted into position and placed on thedispenser. Considering the size and weight of a full water bottle thisexperience can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for the individualresponsible for changing the water bottle when it is empty. Injuries canand do occur when the heavy bottle is picked up by a person and rotatedso that the bottle's neck is in proper position to be placed onto thewater dispenser. Further, empty and full water bottles that are justrandomly stored in a residence or a business tend to be unsightly andsometimes act as trip hazards. As such, there exists a growing need fora convenient and safe water bottle delivery, storage and retrievalsystem.

[0004] Delivery, storage and retrieval systems of various types areknown in the art. Such devices are commonly used in the paper industryfor paper rolls or other industries for tubular shaped goods or storagecontainers. However, existing delivery, storage and retrieval systemshave some inherent disadvantages. One of the disadvantages with existingsystems is that they do not accommodate water bottles. Anotherdisadvantage is that they are not adaptable for both commercial andresidential settings. Prior art attempts to improve water bottledelivery, storage and retrieval systems that can be used in both acommercial and residential setting have failed to provide a system thatis secure, easy to use and adaptable for a variety of different waterbottle configurations and storage volume requirements. The presentinvention overcomes these deficiencies in the prior art.

[0005] The principal object of the present invention is to provide animproved water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system in which adelivery person can easily and rapidly position water bottles.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedwater bottle delivery, storage and retrieval system in which a deliveryperson can load or retrieve water bottles from the exterior of abuilding.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelwater bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system that can securelyand compactly store a plurality of full and empty water bottles.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system that allows aperson to access full water bottles and easily replace empty waterbottles at a water dispenser.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a waterbottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system that incorporates aconvenient empty water bottle storage area.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelwater bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system that has adjustablecomponents to accommodate a variety of different water bottle designs.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelwater bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system which is simple indesign and inexpensive to construct, and is durable and rugged instructure.

[0012] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings of the invention.

[0013] These and other objects are achieved by a water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In one form of the invention, a water bottle delivery, storage,and retrieval system is provided which comprises an enclosed structurehaving an upper shelf and a lower shelf having opposing inclines. Thestructure may also have access doors positioned to allow storage andretrieval of the full and empty water bottles. Bottles filled with watermay be loaded onto the bottom shelf. The shelf is inclined so thebottles can roll along the plastic ribs of the bottles guided by railswhich are attached to the upper surface of the bottom shelf. The railsare attached to the shelf so that they are positioned between the ribsof the bottles. The empty bottles may also be stored in the dispenser onthe upper shelf. The upper shelf may be inclined in a direction oppositeto the incline of the lower shelf. The upper shelf may also have railsto guide the empty bottles as they roll along the shelf.

[0015] To change bottles at the water dispenser, the structure door isopened at the water dispenser location. The empty bottle is lifted outfrom the dispenser and placed horizontally through the door onto the topshelf. The empty bottle then rolls down the incline, away from the dooropening and down the shelf toward the bottle delivery door. The fullbottle that is already in place on the bottom shelf is pulled out towardthe top of the dispenser along slides attached to the bottom shelf andthen easily tipped into the proper location onto the water dispenser.The full bottle is installed and the structure door is closed. The waterbottle delivery, storage and retrieval system may be provided forinstallation during new construction, major renovations or upgrades toan existing home or building. Further, the system may be installed on abuilding's internal or external wall. Also, the system may be locatedoutside or inside of a building. Other embodiments may include a builtin power supply or electrical outlet.

[0016] Other embodiments of the invention may be freestanding systemswith or without enclosures. The freestanding units may be provided forexisting rooms in a house, garage, office or commercial space. The unitsmay have any number of shelves and multiple shelf designs andconfigurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an exterior rear perspective view of one embodiment ofthe water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the water bottledelivery, storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 1 with an exterior dooropen to show the cabinet interior and shown without a cabinet frontwall;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 1 with the interior door open toshow the cabinet interior;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a partial front view of the water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 1 with the interior retrieval dooropen and an individual loading a full water bottle onto a waterdispenser;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 1 shown with a cabinet front wall;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a front view of the water bottle delivery, storage, andretrieval system of FIG. 1 shown with the front side removed;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the waterbottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternate embodiment of the waterbottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 7;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment of thewater bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 7;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a front view of another alternate embodiment of thewater bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a right side view of the water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 10;

[0028]FIG. 12 is a front view of yet another alternate embodiment of thewater bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a right side view of the water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system of FIG. 12;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the waterbottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system; and

[0031]FIG. 15 is a front view of the water bottle delivery, storage, andretrieval system of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032]FIG. 1 is an exterior rear perspective view of one embodiment ofthe water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system 10 constructedin accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1, the water bottledelivery storage and retrieval system 10 comprises an exterior rear wall14, exterior sidewalls 16 and 17, and an exterior top wall 18 which formcabinet or enclosure 21. Enclosure 21 may also comprise, as best shownin FIG. 5, exterior front wall 20. Enclosure 21 may also have exteriorbottom wall 23. As shown in FIG. 1, enclosure 21 further comprises oneor more exterior access doors 22, 28 having hinges 24, and locks 26. Asbest shown in FIG. 3, enclosure 21 may also have an interior retrievaldoor 42 located on the front side portion of enclosure 21. Further,enclosure 21 may comprise an extension 25. The exterior walls 14, 16,17, 18, 20, 23, exterior access doors 22, 28, interior retrieval door 42and extension 25 may be comprised of a variety of different materialssuch as, for example, wood, wood composites, press board, steel,aluminum, stainless steel, plastic or any combination thereof.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the water bottledelivery, storage, and retrieval system 10 with an exterior door 22 opento show the interior of enclosure 21. FIG. 3 is a partial front view ofthe water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system 10 with theinterior door 42 open to show the interior of enclosure 21. In otherembodiments, there may be two or more doors 42 positioned side-by-side.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, exterior access door 22 may be opened toprovide access to the interior of enclosure 21. Door 28 may also beopened to provide access to the interior of enclosure 21. FIG. 2 showsenclosure 21 without a front wall 20. In alternate embodiments of system10, enclosure 21 may have a front wall 20 (For example as shown in FIG.5).

[0034] The interior of enclosure 21 has an upper shelf 30 and a lowershelf 34. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, upper shelf 30 and lower shelf34 have one or more rails 36 that extend along a portion of the lengthof each shelf 30, 34. As best seen in FIG. 3, one or more slides 38 arepositioned on lower shelf 34 adjacent to interior retrieval door 42. Asseen in FIGS. 2 and 3, empty water bottles 12 are stored on upper shelf30 and full or partially full water bottles 13 are stored on lower shelf34. FIG. 4 is a front view of the water bottle, delivery, storage, andretrieval system 10 shown installed and in use. The interior retrievaldoor 42 is open and an individual is loading a full water bottle 13 ontoa water dispenser 46.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the water bottle delivery,storage, and retrieval system 10 shown with interior retrieval door 42open. FIG. 5 shows enclosure 21 having a front wall 20. FIG. 6 is afront view of the water bottle delivery, storage, and retrieval system10 shown with exterior front wall 20 removed for clarity. As seen inFIG. 6, empty water bottles 12 are stored on upper shelf 30 and full orpartially full water bottles 13 are stored on lower shelf 34.

[0036] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, there are tworails 36 located on upper shelf 30. Rails 36 are positioned on uppershelf 30 to provide for empty water bottles 12 to be guided by rails 36as water bottles 12 roll along inclined shelf 30. The rails 36 arepositioned a set distance apart in a substantially parallel orientationto each other whereby the rails 36 interact with the ribs 13A andgrooves 13B in water bottles 12. Rails 36 may be permanently fixed ormovably fixed to shelf 30. In one embodiment, the rails 36 are fastenedto shelf 30 by nails, screws, staples, adhesives or any other type offasteners that will securely fix rails 36 to shelf 30. In anotherembodiment, rails 36 may be movably attached to shelf 30. For example,rails 36 may be adjusted by loosening the fastening device, for example,a screw, bolt, wing nut, or other device and sliding rail 36 to theposition necessary to engage a particular design water bottle. Thefastening device may then be tightened to securely hold rail 36 in itsnew position.

[0037] One or more slides 38 may be placed along shelf 34 as shown inFIG. 3. Slides 38 are positioned adjacent rails 36 at the location onshelf 34 where bottles 13 will be either placed on shelf 34 (at door22), or removed from shelf 34 (at door 42). Slides 38 may be comprisedof a single piece of material or of multiple pieces of material placedside-by-side (as shown in FIG. 3) or spaced apart as slides 64 are shownin FIG. 7. Slides 38 may be constructed of any type of material thatallows for ease of moving a full water bottle 13 across a slide 38. Forexample, a material with a low coefficient of friction is desirable.Material selection may include steel or coated steel, aluminum or coatedaluminum, any material with Teflon® coating, plastics, synthetics, orother materials with a low coefficient of friction, etc.

[0038] As best seen in FIG. 6, upper shelf 30 and lower shelf 34 arepositioned with respect to enclosure 21 so that shelves 30, 34 are fixedat an angle with respect to bottom wall 23. Upper shelf 30, as viewed inFIG. 6 from the front side of enclosure 21, is angled so that theportion of shelf 30 nearest interior retrieval door 42 adjacent wall 16is at its highest point within the enclosure. Traveling along shelf 30toward exterior access door 22 at wall 17, shelf 30 declines and ispositioned at its lowest point in enclosure 21 at access door 22. Lowershelf 34, as viewed in FIG. 6 from the front side of enclosure 21, isangled so that the portion of shelf 34 nearest the interior retrievaldoor 42 is at its lowest point within the enclosure. Traveling alongshelf 34 toward exterior access door 22, shelf 34 inclines and ispositioned at its highest point in enclosure 21 at access door 22.Shelves 30 and 34 may also have bottle stops 31 positioned at the lowestend of each shelf 30, 34. As shown in FIG. 6, one stop 31 is located atthe end of shelf 34 and maintains the water bottles 13 a set distancefrom enclosure side wall 16.

[0039] Other embodiments, may include additional shelves 30, 34 or thelength of shelves 30, 34 may vary depending upon the particularapplication and requirements of system 10. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 6, shelf 30 and 34 may be long enough to accept seven or eightstandard size water bottles along the length of each shelf 30, 34.However, perhaps due to space limitations, system 10 may require thatmore or fewer water bottles be stored along shelves 30 and 34. Thesystem 10 design is easily adaptable to accommodate a variety ofdifferent shelf 30, 34 lengths. Further, system 10 applicationrequirements may require additional shelves 30, 34. For example, theremay be two shelves 34 and two shelves 30 provided for a specificapplication. The angles of shelves 30, 34 may also be adjusted toaccommodate specific requirements.

[0040] Other embodiments of system 10 and/or alternate embodiments mayinclude a drain or drip tray in the event that a water bottle leakswhile it is horizontally stored. Further, alternate embodiments mayinclude adjustable shelf 30, 34 heights to accommodate potentialvariations in height of water dispensers 46. In particular applications,ventilations slots or holes may be provided on interior retrieval door42 and/or a small electrical fan may be provided for air circulationinside of enclosure 21 to prevent bottles 13 from freezing. A latch,lock, chain, security cable, electronic lock, or other device may alsobe provided on doors 22, 28 or 42 to secure the contents of theenclosure and prevent access to the interior of the building. A weatheror insulation seal may be provided on interior access door 42 to preventenergy loss. Also, enclosure 21 may be insulated and/or equipped withweather seals to maintain a desired temperature within enclosure 21.Further enhancements may be made to improve exterior security andprevent individuals from tampering with the water bottles stored insideof enclosure 21. For example, a locking device may be installed onexterior doors 22 and 28. Additionally, specific materials selected forenclosure 21 may provide additional security benefits. In yet otherembodiments a chute may be attached to enclosure 21 at extension 25 ofthe retrieval access area. In certain applications, for example, if thechute was attached at the bottom of extension 25 a water bottle wouldmore easily slide into dispenser 46. In certain applications, the chutemay provide for improved full water bottle retrieval and ease of tippingthe water bottle and guiding the water bottle onto water dispenser 46.

[0041] Another embodiment of a water bottle delivery, storage andretrieval system is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows a front viewof an alternate embodiment of a water bottle delivery storage andretrieval system 58. FIGS. 7 and 9 show a top view and a right side viewof an alternate embodiment of the water bottle delivery, storage andretrieval system 58 respectively. The water bottle delivery, storage andretrieval system 58 comprises one or more shelves 66, 68 and supports70. As best seen in FIG. 7, rails 60 are disposed on shelf 66 adjacentto slides 64. A lip or edge 62 is positioned around three sides of shelf66 substantially as shown in FIG. 7. Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, one ormore shelves 68 may be positioned between supports 70 and beneath shelf66. In alternate embodiments, shelf 68 may have a lip or edge 62 on oneor more sides of shelf 68. One or more supports 70 may contain holes 72,as shown in FIG. 9, for securely fixing system 58 to a wall or othervertical surface. System 58 may also be secured to the floor. Full waterbottles 13 may be stored on shelf 66 and empty water bottles 12 may bestored on shelves 68.

[0042] In one embodiment, rails 60 may be provided along shelf 66. Inone embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, there are two rails 60 located onupper shelf 66. Rails 60 are positioned on shelf 66 to provide for fullwater bottles 13 to be guided by rails 60 as water bottles 13 roll alongshelf 66. Rails 60 are positioned a set distance apart in asubstantially parallel orientation to each other whereby rails 60interact with the grooves in water bottles 13. Rails 60 may bepermanently fixed or movably fixed to shelf 66. In one embodiment rails60 are fastened to shelf 66 whereby rails 60 are fastened to shelf 66 bynails, screws, bolts, staples, adhesives or any other type of fastenersthat will securely fix rails 60 to shelf 66. In another embodiment, therails 60 may be movably attached to shelf 66. For example, rails 60 maybe adjusted by loosening the fastening device, for example, a screw,bolt, wing nut, and then sliding each rail 60 to the position necessaryto engage a particular design water bottle. The fastening device thenmay be tightened to securely hold each rail 60 in its new position.

[0043] Other embodiments, may include additional shelves 66 and 68. Thelength of shelves 66, 68 may vary depending upon the particularapplication and requirements of the system 58. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 8, shelf 66 may be long enough to accept 3 standardsize water bottles 13 along the length of shelf 66. Each shelf 68 maystore one empty bottle 12. However, perhaps due to space limitations,system 58 may require that more or fewer water bottles be stored alongshelves 66 and 68. The system 58 design is easily adaptable toaccommodate a variety of different shelves 66, 68 lengths. Further,system 58 application requirements may require additional shelves 66,68. For example, there may be two shelves 66 and four shelves 68provided for a specific application. One or more slides 64 may be placedalong shelf 66 as shown in FIG. 7, slides 64 are positioned adjacentrails 60 and proximate the location on shelf 66 where the bottle 13 willbe either placed on shelf 66 or removed from shelf 66. Slides 64 may becomprised of a single piece of material or of multiple pieces ofmaterial placed side-by-side. Slides 64 may be constructed of any typeof material that allows for ease of sliding a full water bottle 13across slide 64. For example, a material with a low coefficient offriction is desirable. Material selection may include steel or coatedsteel, aluminum or coated aluminum, any material with Teflon® coating,plastics, synthetics, or other materials with a low coefficient offriction, etc.

[0044] Another alternate embodiment of the water bottle delivery,storage and retrieval system is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. System 73comprises a shelf 78 attached to supports 76 substantially as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. Disposed on one or more sides of shelf 78 are one ormore lips or edges 74. Supports 76 may contain holes 80 for fasteningsystem 73 to a vertical wall or other surface. System 73 may also bemounted to the floor. Full water bottles 13 and empty water bottles 12may be stored on shelf 78 substantially as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0045] In one embodiment of the system 73, rails 75 may be providedalong shelf 78. There may be two rails 75 located on shelf 78 to providefor full and empty water bottles 13, 12 to be guided by rails 75 aswater bottles 13 and 12 roll along shelf 78. Rails 75 are positioned aset distance apart in a substantially parallel orientation to each otherwhereby the rails 75 interact with the grooves in water bottles 13 and12. Rails 75 may be permanently fixed or movably fixed to shelf 78. Inone embodiment rails 75 are fastened to shelf 78 by nails, screws,staples, adhesives or any other type of fasteners that will securely fixrails 75 to shelf 78. In another embodiment, rails 75 may be movablyattached to shelf 78. For example, rails 75 may be adjusted by looseningthe fastening device, for example, a screw, bolt, wing nut, and slidingrails 75 to the position necessary to engage a particular water bottledesign. The fastening device may then be tightened to securely hold rail75 in its new position.

[0046] Other embodiments, may include additional or different sizedshelves 78. The length of shelf 78 may vary depending upon theparticular application and requirements of system 73. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 10, shelf 78 may be long enough to accept fivestandard size water bottles 12 and 13 along the length of each shelf 78.However, perhaps due to space limitations, system 73 may require thatmore or fewer water bottles 12 and 13 be stored along shelf 78. System73 design is easily adaptable to accommodate a variety of differentshelf 78 lengths. Further, system 73 application requirements mayrequire additional shelves 78. For example, there may be two shelves 78provided for a specific application.

[0047] One or more slides 77 may be placed along shelf 78. Slides 77 maybe positioned adjacent rails 75 and proximate the location on shelf 78where bottle 13 will be either placed on shelf 78 or removed from shelf78. Slides 77 may be comprised of a single piece of material or ofmultiple pieces of material placed side-by-side. Slides 77 may beconstructed on any type of material that allows for ease of sliding afull water bottle 13 across slide 77. For example, a material with a lowcoefficient of friction is desirable. Material selection may includesteel or coated steel, aluminum or coated aluminum, any material withTeflon® coating, plastics, synthetics, or other materials with a lowcoefficient of friction, etc.

[0048] Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13 another alternate embodiment isshown as system 81. Water bottle delivery, storage and retrieval system81 comprises an upper shelf 82 and a lower shelf 84 each positioned atopposite angles with respect to each other substantially as shown inFIG. 12. Vertical supports 86 are provided to support shelves 82 and 84at a location convenient for a specific application. Full water bottles13 may be stored on lower shelf 84 and empty water bottles 12 may bestored on upper shelf 82. Supports 86 may have holes 88 for fasteningsystem 81 to a vertical wall or other surface. System 81 may also bemounted to the floor.

[0049] In another embodiment, shelves 82 and 84 may have rails 89 thatextend along shelves 82, 84. In one embodiment, there are two rails 89located on lower shelf 84. Rails 89 are positioned on lower shelf 84 toprovide for full water bottles 13 to be guided by rails 89 as waterbottles 13 roll along inclined shelf 84. Rails are positioned a setdistance apart in a substantially parallel orientation to each otherwhereby rails 89 interact with the grooves in water bottles 13. Rails 89may be permanently fixed or movably fixed to shelf 84. In oneembodiment, rails 89 are fastened to shelf 84 by nails, screws, staples,bolts, adhesives or any other type of fasteners that will securely fixrails 89 to shelf 84. In another embodiment, rails 89 may be movablyattached to shelf 84. For example, rails 89 may be adjusted by looseningthe fastening device, for example, a screw, bolt, wing nut, and slidingrail 89 to the position necessary to engage a particular design waterbottle. The fastening device then may be tightened to securely hold rail89 in its new position.

[0050] One or more slides 90 may be placed along shelf 84 as shown inFIG. 12. Slides 90 are positioned adjacent rails 89 and at the locationon shelf 84 where the bottle 13 will be either placed on shelf 84 orremoved from shelf 84. Slides 90 may be comprised of a single piece ofmaterial or of multiple pieces of material placed side-by-side or spacedapart (as shown in FIG. 12). Slides 90 may be constructed of any type ofmaterial that allows for ease of sliding a full water bottle 13 acrossslide 90. For example, a material with a low coefficient of friction isdesirable. Material selection may include steel or coated steel,aluminum or coated aluminum, any material with Teflon coating, plastics,synthetics, or other materials with a low coefficient of friction, etc.

[0051] Lower shelf 84, as viewed in FIG. 12, is angled so that theportion of shelf 84 nearest the water dispenser 46 is at its lowestpoint. Traveling along shelf 84 away from dispenser 46, shelf 84inclines upward and is positioned at its highest at the end of the shelf84 farthest from dispenser 46. Upper shelf 82, as viewed in FIG. 12, isangled so that the portion of shelf 82 nearest the dispenser 46 is atits highest point. Traveling along shelf 82, away from dispenser 46,shelf 82 is positioned at its lowest point at the end of the shelf whichis furthest from dispenser 46. Shelves 82 and 84 may also have bottlestops 31 positioned at the lowest end of each shelf 82, 84. As shown inFIG. 12, one stop 31 is located at the end of shelf 84.

[0052] Other embodiments, may include additional shelves 82, 84. Thelength of shelves 82, 84 may vary depending upon the particularapplication and requirements of system 81. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 12, shelves 82 and 84 may be long enough to accept five standardsize water bottles along the length of each shelf 82, 84. However,perhaps due to space availability, system 81 may require that more orfewer water bottles be stored along shelves 82 and 84. The system 81design is easily adaptable to accommodate a variety of different shelf82, 84 lengths. Further, system 81 application requirements may requireadditional shelves 82, 84. For example, there may be two shelves 84 andtwo shelves 82 provided for a specific application.

[0053] In an alternate embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15,water bottle delivery, storage and retrieval system 91 comprises uppershelves 94 and lower shelves 96 substantially as shown in FIG. 14 andFIG. 15. Supports 98 are provided and maintain shelves 94 and 96 in afixed position with respect to each other. Lips or edges 92 may bedisposed on one or more sides of shelves 94, 96. In other embodiments,slides 100 may extend across substantially the entire length of shelves94 and 96. System 91 may be affixed to a vertical wall or other surfaceor may be mounted to the floor.

[0054] One or more slides 100 may be placed along shelves 94 and 96.Slides 100 may be comprised of a single piece of material or of multiplepieces of material placed side-by-side (as shown in FIG. 14). Slides 100may be constructed of any type of material that allows for ease ofsliding a full water bottle 13 across slide 100. For example, a materialwith a low coefficient of friction is desirable. Material selection mayinclude steel or coated steel, aluminum or coated aluminum, any materialwith Teflon® coating, plastics, synthetics, or other materials with alow coefficient of friction, etc.

[0055] Other embodiments of system 91, may include additional shelves94, 96. And, the length of shelves 94, 96 may vary depending upon theparticular application and requirements of the system 91. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 15, shelves 94 and 96 may be long enough toaccept four or five standard size water bottles along the length of eachshelf 94, 96. However, perhaps due to space availability, system 91 mayrequire that more or fewer water bottles be stored along shelves 94, 96.The system 91 design is easily adaptable to accommodate a variety ofdifferent shelf 94, 96 lengths. Further, system 91 applicationrequirements may require additional shelves 94, 96. For example, theremay be two shelves 94 and three shelves 96 provided for a specificapplication.

[0056] In yet other embodiments, upper shelf 94 may be lined with lowfriction material. Lips or edges 92 located on shelf 94 and positionedon each side of bottles 13 may be lined with a low friction material andpositioned close enough together so that edges 92 glide bottles 13 asbottles 13 are moved along shelf 94 may be formed so that it looselyconforms to the curvature of bottles 13. Further, the entire shelf 94 orjust the portion of shelf 94 that comes into contact with bottles 13 maybe lined with a low friction material. This embodiment would assist inself-aligning the bottles 13 and keep the bottles in alignment with thedispenser. Also, rails may be positioned on shelf 94 to further assistwith maintaining the alignment of bottles 13 on shelf 94.

[0057] In use, for one embodiment of the water bottle dispenser, storageand retrieval system, a delivery person can easily and rapidly deliverand position the full water bottles on the shelf/shelves intended toreceive full water bottles. Then, the delivery person can remove theempty water bottles from the other shelf/shelves. To change bottles atthe water dispenser the structure door is opened at the water dispenserlocation. The empty bottle is lifted out from the dispenser and placedthrough the door onto an upper shelf. The empty bottle then rolls downthe incline, away from the door opening and down the shelf. The fullbottle that is already in position on a lower shelf is easily pulled outtoward the top of the dispenser along slides attached to the lower shelfand then tipped into the proper location on the water dispenser. Ifother full bottles are in place on the shelf, the next bottle rolls intoposition to occupy the space of the removed water bottle. The fullbottle is installed and the structure door is closed.

[0058] Other embodiments of the invention may or may not include anenclosure. For embodiments that do not have an enclosure, the deliveryperson would place full water bottles on the designed shelf/shelves andremove the empty water bottles. The user would, as with otherembodiments, replace an empty water bottle with a full water bottle bysimply tipping the full water bottle onto the water dispenser.

[0059] Specific embodiments of novel methods and apparatus forconstruction of novel water bottle delivery, storage, and retrievalsystem according to the present invention have been described for thepurpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made andused. It should be understood that the implementation of othervariations and modifications of the invention and its various aspectswill be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention isnot limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it iscontemplated to cover the present invention any and all modifications,variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water bottle delivery, storage and retrievalsystem comprising: an enclosure having a plurality of doors; and anupper shelf and a lower shelf for receiving water bottles, the uppershelf and lower shelf each located adjacent at least one of the doorsand positioned on an angle within the enclosure so that the waterbottles roll toward at least one door when placed on each shelf.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein at least one shelf has one or more railspositioned along a portion of the length of the shelf to provide for theone or more rails to guide the water bottles as they roll along theshelf.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one shelf has one ormore slides positioned along the width of one or more ends of the shelfto provide for the water bottles to be easily moved onto or off of theshelf.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the doors has ameans for securing the door.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein theenclosure has a top, a bottom, a rear wall, two sides and an open frontportion.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one door is locatedproximate the lowest portion of the lower shelf.
 7. The system of claim1 wherein at least one door is located proximate the lowest portion ofthe upper shelf.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a means formaintaining the temperature inside the enclosure.
 9. The system of claim1 further comprising a means for insulating the enclosure.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein at least one shelf has a bottle stopping meanslocated at the end of at least one shelf.
 11. A water bottle delivery,storage and retrieval system comprising: one or more shelves forreceiving water bottles, at least one shelf having a lip disposed on atleast one edge of the shelf to prevent the water bottles from rollingoff the shelf, and a plurality of supports to maintain the one or moreshelves in a fixed position to accept and hold water bottles.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein at least one shelf has one or more railspositioned along a portion of the length of the shelf to provide for theone or more rails to guide the water bottles as they roll along theshelf.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one shelf has one ormore slides positioned along the width of one or more ends of the shelfto provide for the water bottles to be easily moved onto or off of theshelf.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein one or more shelves are wideenough to accept a water bottle that is placed on the shelf so that thebottle longitudinal axis is parallel to the shelf longitudinal axis. 15.The system of claim 14 wherein the shelves are shaped to conform thecurvature of the water bottles when the bottles are placed on the shelf.16. A water bottle delivery, storage and retrieval system comprising: anupper shelf and a lower shelf for receiving water bottles, the uppershelf and the lower shelf each positioned on an angle so that the waterbottles roll toward one end of the shelf when placed on the shelf; andat least one of the shelves having a lip disposed on at least one edgeof the shelf to prevent the water bottles from rolling off of the shelf.17. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one shelf has one or morerails positioned along a portion of the length of the shelf to providefor the one or more rails to, guide the water bottles as they roll alongthe shelf.
 18. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one shelf has oneor more slides positioned along the width of one or more ends of theshelf to provide for the water bottles to be easily moved onto or off ofthe shelf.
 19. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one shelf has abottle stopping means located at the end of at least one shelf.
 20. Awater bottle delivery, storage and retrieval system comprising: anenclosure having one or more openings; one or more shelves positionedwithin the enclosure and located adjacent at least one opening; and ameans for guiding water bottles attached to at least one shelf and thatenables bottles to freely move along the length of the shelf.
 21. Awater bottle delivery storage and retrieval system for installation inan enclosure having one or more openings comprising: one or more shelvespositioned within the enclosure and located adjacent at least oneopening; and a means for guiding water bottles attached to at least oneshelf and that enables bottles to freely move along the length of theshelf.